There are clear advantages and disadvantages of online communication.
It is a relatively easy technology for some and relatively more difficult for others. Firstly,There are two critical messages… No technique can stand alone. Secondly, just because a technique is new that doesn’t mean it has to solve every single problem to be worthwhile.
The following is an online education on Wikiversity. Many of the comments and lessons are similar and familiar, particularly if you think about the community engagement process as a mutual learning space.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE COMMUNICATION
Flexibility: accessible 24×7, any place as long as you have an internet connection
Text-based: Predominantly relies on inputting text which can be challenging for those who don’t like to write or have poor keyboard skills, but with the advance of broadband connectivity and voice and video conference technology – this will be less of an issue.
Levelling: reserved people who usually don’t speak up can say as much as they like while “loud” people are just another voice and can’t interrupt
No physical cues: without facial expressions and gestures or the ability to retract immediately there’s a big risk of misunderstanding
Documented: unlike verbal conversation, online discussion is lasting and can be revisited
Information overload: a large volume of messages can be overwhelming and hard to follow, even stress-inducing
Choice: a quick question or comment, or a long reflective account are equally possible
Inefficient: it takes longer than verbal conversation and so it’s hard to reply to all the points in a message, easily leaving questions unanswered
Limitless: you can never predict where the discussion will go; the unexpected often results in increased incidental learning
Directionless: participants used to having a teacher. instructor telling them what to do can find it a leaderless environment.
Community: over time can develop into a supportive, stimulating community which participants come to regard as the high point of their course
Isolation: some learners prefer to learn on their own and don’t participate in the discussions
